Electronic display mounting system

ABSTRACT

An electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets whereby each slotted frame cabinet can conveniently be attached to one or more vertically or horizontally positioned adjacent slotted frame cabinets by using connecting components which are generally located around the periphery of one or more slotted frame cabinets. Connecting components, including splice bars, splice plates, and mounting clamps, are aligned in, positioned along and secured to backing bars which are co-located in backing bar slots in one or more of the slatted frame cabinets. Lift eyes can be variably located in one or more lift eye slots. The use of externally located connecting components, which do not extend through the cabinetry, minimize the entry of environmental elements into the interior of the electronic sign. Multiple slotted frame cabinets can be connected without the removal of LED display panels.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/499,150,filed on Sep. 27, 2014, which is a continuation of and claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/896,000, filed on Oct. 1, 2010, which is a divisional of andclaims the benefit of priority under 35 § 120 to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/077,130, filed on Mar. 17, 2008, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the earlier filed U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/923,366 filed Apr. 13, 2007, entitled “Cabinet HavingPerimeter Track,” the benefit of priority of each of which is claimedhereby, and each of which are incorporated into this application byreference as if fully set forth herein.

This patent application is related to patent application Ser. No.11/809,107 filed on May 31, 2007, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,444,entitled “Electronic Sign Having a Formed Metal Cabinet.”

This application is also related to patent application Ser. No.10/688,304 filed on Oct. 17, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,055,271, entitled “Electronic Display Module Having a Four-PointLatching System for incorporation into an Electronic Sign and Process.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is for an electronic sign, and more particularly,for an electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets wherein eachslotted frame cabinet conveniently attaches to one or more vertically orhorizontally situated adjacent slotted frame cabinets. An individualslotted frame cabinet can also be utilized by itself for use as anelectronic sign.

Description of the Prior Art

The invention is to be used as a replacement for current technology signstructures which are very labor intensive and which require welding,individual component fitting, drilling, and the like. Welding is verytime consuming and is a hard process to control with respect touniformity and trueness of surfaces. Welding also reduces the strengthcharacteristics of aluminum structures used therein and thereabout. Thenew invention uses structural rivets for cabinet component attachment,thus eliminating the need for welding. Joining of components such as,but not limited to, formed channels to the slotted frames of the slottedframe cabinet is accomplished by the use of prepunched and preformedcomponents and rivets. The use of structural prepunched and preformedcomponents with rivets allows for the automation of the entire processof fabrication. The prepunched holes used for the accommodation ofrivets self-align the component parts, thus substantially reducingmanufacturing labor.

The new invention eliminates the need for nutserts and other traditionalfastening schemes used for splicing and joining adjacent slotted framecabinets and eliminates the need for attaching clip angle supports tothe rear of an electronic sign cabinet. It does this by havingsubstantially continuous slotted frame cabinets which can acceptexternal splicing and connection structures such as mounting clamps,splice plates, backing bars, and the like, which can convenientlysplice, align and secure adjacent slotted frame cabinets together invertical or horizontal relationships.

Prior art devices relied on installing nutserts for splicing andattaching clip angles to the rear of a cabinet for mounting and/orinstallation purposes, each of which requires extra assembly steps and,when installed, do not have variable placement. The use of continuoushorizontally aligned backing bar slots eliminates the requirement forthe use of horizontal stringers on the rear of a sign structure whichwere used for mounting to various support structures.

Many prior art devices fait to accommodate unequally spaced verticallyaligned ground mounted support structure. The invention provides asolution for such variable positioning of ground mounted supportstructure by providing slot mounted positionable mounting clamps alignedat variable spacings in slots along the entire horizontal length of oneor more joined slotted frame cabinets to accommodate variably spacedground based support structures such as, but not limited to, verticallyaligned I-beam supports.

Prior art designs have been such that lift eyes penetrate the cabinetinterior and are placed at predetermined points in the cabinet frame.The disadvantage of such a system is that it is labor intensive toattach the lift eyes. Furthermore, such through the cabinet structuremounting allows entry points for the elements. This present inventionallows for flexibility in the lift eye location by allowing the lift eyeto translate anywhere along a lift eye slot in the length of one or moreof the cabinet sections. The lift structure does not communicate withthe interior of the cabinet sections.

This invention also provides for a watertight assembly because thecabinet interior is not penetrated by the use of fasteners, such as usedin prior art devices. The slotted frame cabinet interior is notpenetrated during factory or on-site installation since cabinet sectionsare spliced externally by components which align to or within externallylocated slots located along and about the cabinet frame.

Prior art devices in the field required the removal of electronicdisplay modules in order to splice cabinet sections, as splicing of onecabinet section to another required internal access to mountinghardware, connector plates, and the like. The present invention allowsexternal connective splicing of vertically or horizontally adjacentcabinet sections without accessing the interior of a slotted framecabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an electronicsign having slotted frame cabinets. According to one or more embodimentsof the present invention, there is provided an electronic sign comprisedpartly of slotted frame cabinets where the use of two or more slottedframe cabinets provides for a full complement of connective components,such as described herein. In the alternative, an individual slottedframe cabinet can be utilized to provide for a unitary electronic sign.Slotted frame cabinets which are central to the invention areconstructed and joined together by using a plurality of similar profilegeometrically configured components including a frame top, a framebottom and frame ends, each of which has a plurality of externalaccessible slots extending along the length thereof. A plurality offormed vertically aligned channels and formed mid-channels are securedbetween the frame top and the frame bottom of each slotted frame cabinetwhich serve, in part, as a mounting structure for a front mounted panel,the latter of which accommodates a plurality of electronic displaymodules. The preformed vertically aligned channels also serve, in part,as a mounting structure for rear panels. A shroud surrounds theperimeter of the joined slotted frame cabinets.

The slotted frame cabinets are joined by unique components and methods.Horizontally adjacent and aligned slotted frame cabinets are joined bythe use of one or more geometrically configured splice bars in verticalorientation which align in and between opposed like slots in the frameends of adjacent horizontally slotted frame cabinets and, in cooperationtherewith, are also joined by splice plates secured to opposedvertically aligned backing bars in opposed like backing bar slots in theframe ends of the adjacent slotted frame cabinets. Installation of thesplice plates provides for self-alignment of the frame ends ofhorizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets.

Vertically adjacent and aligned slotted frame cabinets are joined by theuse of one or more geometrically configured splice bars in a horizontalorientation which is or are aligned in and between opposed like slots inthe frame top and frame bottom of vertically adjacent slotted framecabinets and, in cooperation therewith, are also joined by mountingclamps serving, in part, like splice plates secured to opposedhorizontally aligned backing bars. Installation of the mounting clampsprovides for self-alignment of the frame tops and bottoms of verticallyadjacent slotted frame cabinets. The mounting clamps are also used tosecure joined combinations of slotted frame cabinets; i.e., theelectronic sign having slotted frame cabinets, to ground mounted supportstructure. The mounting clamps are horizontally positionable along thesign in order to connect to unequally spaced support structure. A lifteye slot is also included along the frame top to slidingly accommodateone or more lift eyes.

One significant aspect and feature of the electronic sign having slattedframe cabinets of the present invention is the use of multiple slotsalong and about the perimeter to which a plurality of connection devicesor other devices can be attached, captured and secured.

Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention isthe use of common geometry slotted frame components including a slottedframe top, a slotted frame bottom, and slotted frame ends which formconnected inner panels where the slotted frame top and the slotted framebottom serve as mounts for vertically aligned formed channels includingformed mid-channels. The perimeter of the slotted frame components andthe formed vertically aligned channels are not welded but are riveted inprepunched holes in order to automate the fabrication process and toimprove reliability, manufacturability, tolerances, repeatability, andefficiency of assembly.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is theuse of adjacent perimeter splice bar slots in common with an intercedinggeometrically configured splice bar to align within and therebetweensuch slots to, in part, mutually secure the forward region ofhorizontally adjacent and aligned slotted frames ends or the forwardregion of vertically adjacent and aligned slatted frame tops andbottoms.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is theuse of backing bars residing in backing bar slots and used with spliceplates to, in part, join the rearward portion of horizontally adjacentand aligned slotted frame cabinets.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is theuse of splice plates to align the fronts, rears and splice bar slots ofthe horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is theuse of backing bars residing in backing bar slots and used with mountingclamps to join the rearward portion of vertically adjacent and alignedslotted frame cabinets.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is theuse of mounting clamps to align the fronts, rears and splice bar slotsof the vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is theuse of backing bar mounting clamps and associated backing bar(s), thelatter of which are horizontally positionable along backing bar slotsalong the horizontal length in order to align with variably spacedvertically aligned support structures, such as, but not limited to,I-beams.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is thatthe lift eyes can be situated at an appropriate location in one or morelift eye slots along the length of the slotted frame top of one or morehorizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets to evenly distribute theweight during installation and during display.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is thatany connection points, splice plates, splice bars, mounting clamps, lifteyes, and the like are external to the slotted frame cabinet structureand, as such, there is no structural penetration by water and otherunwanted fluid or debris.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is theability to join vertically or horizontally adjacent slotted framecabinets without the removal of display modules.

Having thus briefly described one or more embodiments of the presentinvention and having mentioned some significant aspects and features ofthe present invention, it is the principal object of the presentinvention to provide an electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendantadvantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of an electronic sign having slottedframe cabinets, the present invention, mounted to a plurality of supportstructures;

FIG. 2 is an isometric rear view of the electronic sign having slottedframe cabinets of FIG. 1 mounted to a plurality of support structures;

FIG. 3 is an exploded rear view of the invention components of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of a horizontally oriented slotted frametop along line 4-4 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a single slotted frame cabinet and someassociated components;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a corner of the slotted frame cabinet of FIG. 5showing the relationship of several splice bars, backing bars, and lifteyes thereto;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the top left corner of the slotted framecabinet shown in FIG. 6 where horizontally aligned components are shownaligned within their respective slots;

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric rear view of a splice plate and twobacking bars used with the splice plate and associated hardware;

FIG. 9 shows an initial alignment of a slotted frame end of a slottedframe cabinet in close proximity to an adjacent slotted frame end ofanother slotted frame cabinet;

FIG. 10 is a top view showing a step where a vertically aligned splicebar is aligned in a splice bar slot in a slotted frame end of a slottedframe cabinet;

FIG. 11 is a top view showing a step where a slotted frame cabinet and ahorizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinet are urged into offsetintimate contact, whereby a panel of a splice bar enters into a splicebar slot in a slotted frame end of a horizontally adjacent slotted framecabinet;

FIG. 12 is a top view showing a step where the vertically orientedbacking bars in an assembly of the backing bars, splice plate bolts,washers and nuts are loaded in offset fashion into the verticallyaligned rearwardly located backing bar slots;

FIG. 13 is a top view showing a step where one or more nuts aretightened in order that a slotted frame cabinet is forcibly drawn intointimate and forced contact with the splice plate;

FIG. 14 shows the use of multiple splice plates, backing bars, andassociated components to, in part, suitably connect horizontallyadjacent slotted frame cabinets;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of one of the mounting clamps and two ofthe backing bars used with the mounting clamps and associated hardwareto, in part, secure horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the components of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows the initial alignment of a slotted frame top of a lowerslotted frame cabinet in close proximity to a slotted frame bottom of anupper slotted frame cabinet;

FIG. 18 is an end view showing a step where a horizontally alignedsplice bar is aligned in the splice bar slot in the slotted frame top ofa slotted frame cabinet;

FIG. 19 is an end view showing a step where an upper slotted framecabinet and a lower slotted frame cabinet are manually urged into offsetintimate contact;

FIG. 20 is an end view showing a step where the horizontally orientedbacking bars in an assembly consisting of the backing bars, a mountingclamp, bolts, washers; and nuts are loaded in an offset fashion intohorizontally adjacent and aligned backing bar slots;

FIG. 21 is an end view showing a step where one or more nuts aretightened in order that a slotted frame cabinet is forcibly drawn intointimate and forced contact with a mounting clamp;

FIG. 22 shows the use of multiple mounting clamps, backing bars, andassociated components to, in part, suitably connect horizontallyadjacent slotted frame cabinets;

FIG. 23 is a cross section view showing a mounting clamp in use withsplice bars to, in part, secure an upper slotted frame cabinet to alower slotted frame cabinet, as well as showing the use of a mountingclamp to, in part, connect an upper slotted frame cabinet and lowerslatted frame cabinet to a support structure; and,

FIG. 24 is a top view showing the use of a mounting clamp to fasten aslotted frame cabinet to a vertically aligned support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of an electronic sign having slottedframe cabinets 10, the present invention, mounted to a plurality ofsupport structures 12 a-12 n by a plurality of like mounting clamps 14a-14 n being part of and being located along and about the rear of theinvention, as also shown in FIG. 2. One of a plurality of likeelectronic display modules 16 (also known as LED modules) having afour-point latching system populate the front of the present inventionand are removably attached to a plurality of mounting panels 18extending along and about the front of the invention. The structure andrelationship of the mounting panels 18 and the electronic displaymodules 16 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,271 entitled “ElectronicDisplay Module Having a Four-Point Latching System for Incorporationinto an Electronic Sign and Process” and is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

Also visible is a plurality of vertically aligned formed channels 20 offull width and a plurality of vertically aligned formed mid-channels 22of reduced width secured along and about the invention, as laterdescribed in detail. The front surfaces of the formed channels 20 andthe formed mid-channels 22 serve as a mount for the mounting panel 18and the rear surfaces of the formed channels 20 serve as a mount for aplurality of rear vent panels 24 a-24 n, as also shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is an isometric rear view of the electronic sign having slottedframe cabinets 10 of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is an exploded rear view of theinvention components of FIG. 2. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, thepresent invention is further described. Similarly constructed slottedframe cabinets 26 are central to the invention and can be designated asa plurality of slotted frame cabinets 26 a-26 n or, alternatively, as aslotted frame cabinet 26 as the construction is the same. The slottedframe cabinets 26 a-26 n can be arranged as shown in FIG. 3 and areconnected by other components of the invention. One such connectingcomponent is in the form of similarly shaped geometrically configuredsplice bars 28 a, 28 b and 28 c, each having an elongated Y-shapedprofile including similarly numbered features as shown in FIG. 4. Splicebars 28 a and 28 b are shown in vertical orientation and can be used, inpart, to connect the adjacent frame ends of horizontally adjacentslotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26 b and, of course, the adjacent frameends of horizontally adjacent slatted frame cabinets 26 c and 26 n,respectively, as later described in detail. Splice bar 28 c, shown inhorizontal orientation, can by itself, or if divided in halves, be used,in part, to connect the slotted frame bottom of cabinet 26 a to theslotted frame top of the vertically adjacent cabinet 26 c and, in part,to connect the slotted frame bottom of cabinet 26 b to the slotted frametop of the vertically adjacent cabinet 26 n, respectively, as laterdescribed in detail.

Other connection components are in the form of a plurality of spliceplates 30 a-30 n in cooperation with a plurality of vertically orientedbacking bars 32 a-32 n which, in part, are used to connect the adjacentframe ends of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26 band, of course, the adjacent frame ends of horizontally adjacent slottedframe cabinets 26 c and 26 n. Other connection components are in theform of the plurality of mounting clamps 14 a-14 n used in cooperationwith a plurality of horizontally oriented backing bars 34 a-34 n. Someof the mounting clamps 14 a-14 n and backing bars 34 a-34 n are used, inpart, to connect vertically adjacent frame bottoms and frame tops ofvertically adjacent slotted frame cabinet pair 26 a-26 c and pair 26b-26 n. Some of the mounting clamps 14 a-14 n and backing bars 34 a-34 nare used to connect the frame tops of the slotted frame cabinets 26 aand 26 b to some of the support structures 12 a-12 n and some of themounting clamps 14 a-14 n and backing bars 32 a-32 n are used to connectframe bottoms of the slotted frame cabinets 26 c and 26 n to some of thesupport structures 12 a-12 n. All of the mounting clamps 14 a-14 n andassociated backing bars 34 a-34 n are used to connect the slotted framecabinets 26 a-26 n to all of the support structures 12 a-12 n,respectively.

A multiple component shroud 36 surrounds the perimeter of the joinedslotted frame cabinets 26 a-26 n. The shroud 36 is comprised of aplurality of elongated L-shaped shroud panels 38 a-38 n secured aboutthe perimeter of the slotted frame cabinets 26 a-26 n and a plurality ofshroud corners 40 a-40 n secured to some of the ends of the shroudpanels 38 a-38 n. A plurality of positionable lift eyes 42 a-42 n arelocated along the top of the slotted frame cabinets 26 a-26 b, asdescribed later in detail.

Each of the slotted frame cabinets 26 a-26 n uses a plurality of likestructure slotted top, bottom and end components in the form ofconfigured box tubes to form such slotted frame cabinets. FIG. 4 is across section view of a horizontally oriented slotted frame top 44 aalong line 4-4 of FIG. 5. A variety of panels and slots comprises thedescribed cross section shown in FIG. 4. An inner panel 46 opposes anouter panel 48 which panels are mutually connected by a front panel 50,a mid-panel 52, and a back panel 54. The outer panel 48 includes anoutwardly located splice bar slot 56 and an adjacent inwardly locatedlift eye slot 58. The splice bar slot 56 includes angled slot walls 56 aand 56 b. A forwardly located front mounting panel 60 extendsperpendicularly from one end of the outer panel 48 and inwardly towardthe center of the slotted frame cabinet 26. A rear mounting panel 62extends perpendicularly from one end of the inner panel 46 and inwardlytoward the center of the slotted frame cabinet 26. A rearwardly locatedbacking bar slot 64 is located between the rear portions of the outerpanel 48 and the inner panel 46. The cross section of a verticallyoriented slotted frame end 44 b, the cross section of a verticallyoriented slotted frame end 44 c, and the cross section of a verticallyoriented slotted frame bottom 44 d are substantially the same where eachhas a different orientation. All or some of the features described canbe utilized for accommodating closely associated components, asdescribed later in detail.

FIG. 4 also shows an end view of components which can be accommodateddirectly by the slots of the slotted frame top 44 a. The sameaccommodating relationships also exist with the slotted frame end 44 b,the slotted frame end 44 c, and the slotted frame bottom 44 c, asapplicable. The splice bar 28 c, which is shown in a horizontalorientation, has a plurality of panels extending at angles from acentral panel 66, including opposed panels 68 and 70 extending from thecentral panel 66, and another panel 72 offset from the central panel 66by a short panel 74. The opposed panels 68 and 70 of the splice bar 28 care aligned with and are mutually secured within the angled slot walls56 b and 56 a, respectively, of the splice bar slot 56. Interaction ofthe splice bar 28 c and other splice bars with splice bar slots 56 isdescribed later in detail. Splice bars 28 a and 28 b have the sameprofile but are used in vertical orientation. An end view of the lifteyes 42 a-42 n, each having a horizontally orientated base panel 76, aconnected vertically oriented panel 78, and a hole 80 extending throughthe panel 78, is also shown. The base panels 76 of each of the lift eyes42 a-42 n are slidingly accommodated by the lift eye slot(s) 58 of the20 slotted frame tops 44 a. Threaded holes 82, one of which is shown,are included at opposing ends of the base panel 76 for the use of bolts(not shown) which can extend therethrough to contact the bottom of thelift eye slot 58 to provide a frictional engagement arrangement of thelift eyes 42 a-42 n in the lift eye slot 58. The backing bar 34 a in theform of a channel is also shown which includes holes 84 extendingtherethrough. Backing bars 34 a-34 n are slidingly accommodated bybacking bar slots 64 in each of the slotted frame tops 44 a and slottedframe bottoms 44 d. Backing bars 32 a-32 n, having the same crosssection and shape as backing bars 34 a-34 n, are slidingly accommodatedin some of the backing bars slots 64 of the slotted frame ends 44 b and44 c.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a single slotted frame cabinet 26 andsome associated components which view represents anyone of the slottedframe cabinets 26 a-26 n. The ends of each of the slotted frame top 44a, the slatted frame ends 44 b and 44 c, and the slotted frame bottom 44d are miter cut and are suitably joined by right angle brackets 86 a-86n connecting the inner panels 46. The inner panel 46 of the slottedframe top 44 a and the opposed inner panel 46 of the slotted framebottom 44 d serve as mounts for the opposing ends of the preformedvertically oriented formed channels 20 and formed mid-channels 22, asdescribed with reference to patent application Ser. No. 11/809,107 filedon May 2007, entitled “Electronic Sign Having a Formed Metal Cabinet.”

Preferably, the general relationship and uses of several previouslydescribed components to a slatted frame cabinet 26, but not necessarilyto any of the specific slotted frame cabinets 26 a-26 n, is demonstratedwith certain exceptions below. For example:

1. As previously described, the lift eyes 42 a-42 n can align in thelift eye slots 58 when the slotted frame cabinet 26 is used as theslotted top frame cabinet 26 a or 26 b.

2. The splice bar slot 56 in the slotted frame top 44 a and the splicebar slot 56 in the slotted frame bottom 44 d can accommodate a splicebar 28 c. However, the preferred mode of assembly is the use of a splicebar 28 c to join the slotted frame top 44 a of the lower slotted framecabinets, such as horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets 26 c and26 n, to the slotted frame bottoms 44 d of the upper slotted framecabinets, such as horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets 26 a and26 b.

3. The splice bar slot 56 in the slotted frame end 44 b and the splicebar slot 56 in the slotted frame end 44 c can accommodate splice bars 28a or 28 b. However, the preferred mode of assembly is the use splicebars 28 a and 28 b to join the slotted frame end 44 c of the slottedframe cabinets, such as vertically adjacent slatted frame cabinets 26 aand 26 c to the slotted frame ends 44 b of the slotted frame cabinets,such as vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets 26 b and 26 n.

4. The backing bar slots 64 in the slotted frame top 44 a and thebacking bar slots 64 in the slotted frame bottom 44 d can accommodatebacking bars 34 a-34 n.

5. The backing bar slots 64 in the slotted frame ends 44 b and 44 c canaccommodate backing bars 32 a-32 n.

6. The splice plates 30 a-30 n utilize pairs of backing bars 32 a-32 nfor attachment to some of the backing bar slots 64, as described laterin detail.

7. Individual mounting clamps 14 a-14 n utilize one or more backing bars34 a-34 n for attachment to some of the backing bar slots 64, asdescribed later in detail.

Support brackets 87 which can be secured at appropriate locations alongthe support structures 12 a-12 n are also shown. The support brackets 87can be used as a support during installation of the electronic signhaving slotted frame cabinets on the support structures 12 a-12 n toprovide either temporary or permanent support.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a corner of the slotted frame cabinet 26 ofFIG. 5 showing the relationship of several splice bars 28 a, 28 c,backing bar 34 a, 32 a, and lift eyes 42 a-42 n thereto. A cutout 88 isprovided at the corner of the outer panel 48 in the slotted frame top 44a in order that the vertically oriented backing bar 32 a can be insertedinto the backing bar slot 64 of the slotted frame end 44 b of therepresentative slatted frame cabinet 26. Another cutout similar tocutout 88 (not shown) is located at the opposite end of the outer panel48 of the slotted frame top 44 a for accommodating another of thevertically oriented backing bars 32 a-32 n. Cutouts similar to cutout 88are not provided at the bottom ends of the slotted frame ends 46 b and46 c in order that backing bars 32 a-32 n will not fall out of thebacking bar slots 64 during assembly.

A cutout 90 is provided at the top corner of the outer panel 48 in theslatted frame end 44 b and another cutout similar to 90 (not shown) islocated at the bottom corner in the slotted frame end 44 b in order thatthe horizontally oriented backing bars 34 a-34 n can be inserted intothe backing bar slot 64 of the slotted frame top 44 a of therepresentative slotted frame cabinet 26 and into the backing bar slot 64of the slotted frame bottom 44 d of the representative slotted framecabinet 26. The slotted frame end 44 c is a mirror image of the slottedframe end 44 b and is constructed and used in the same fashion as theslotted frame bottom 44 d.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, cutouts 92 and 94 are shown at the end ofthe splice bar slot 56 of the slotted frame top 44 a in order that thevertically oriented splice bar 28 a can be inserted into the splice barslot 56 of the slotted frame end 44 b of the representative slottedframe cabinet 26. Similarly configured cutouts are located at theopposite end of the splice bar slot 56 of the slotted frame top 44 a.Cutouts 96 and 98 are included at the top end of the splice bar slot 56of the slotted frame end 44 b (and cutouts similar to cutouts 96 and 98are located at the top end of the splice bar slot 56 of the slottedframe end 44 c) in order that horizontally oriented splice bars 28 c canbe inserted into the splice bar slot 56 of the slotted frame top 44 a ofthe representative slotted frame cabinet 26. A widening of the lift eyeslot 58 is shown at 58 a and 58 b (FIG. 7) for addition of lift eyes 42a-42 n, as desired. Like and similar teachings, relationships,configurations, and components are included along and about the presentinvention as described or illustrated.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the top left corner of the slotted framecabinet 26 shown in FIG. 6 where horizontally aligned components areshown aligned within their respective slots.

FIG. 8-14 illustrate additional structure associated with the inventionand the method of attachment of horizontally adjacent slotted framecabinets, such as slotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26 b, using previouslydescribed structure and additional structure as described herein.

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric rear view of one of the splice plates 30a-30 n and two of the backing bars 32 a-32 n used with the splice plates30 a-30 n and associated hardware to, in part, secure horizontallyadjacent slotted frame cabinets such as slotted frame cabinets 26 a and26 b or horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets such as slottedframe cabinets 26 c and 26 n. The rear portion of the splice plates 30a-30 n include a plurality of holes 100. Bolts 102 extend through holes104 in the backing bars 32 a-32 n, through the opening of some backingbar slots 64, and through the holes 100 of the backing plates 30 a-30 n,as well as through washers 106 and into nuts 108, as indicated. Theheads of the bolts 102 align closely and fixingly contact and securebetween the walls of the backing bars 32 a-32 n.

FIG. 9 shows the initial alignment of the slotted frame end 44 b of theslotted frame cabinet 26 b in close proximity to the slotted frame end44 c (not shown) of the slotted frame cabinet 26 a. A vertically alignedsplice bar 28 a is shown distanced but aligned with the splice bar slot56 of the slotted frame end 44 b in the slotted frame cabinet 26 bawaiting positioning therein. Preferably, the slotted frame cabinet 26 band the slotted frame cabinet 26 a are offset from each other, as shownin FIG. 10. The display modules 16 are not shown for the purpose ofbrevity and clarity.

FIG. 10 is a top view showing a step where the vertically aligned splicebar 28 a is aligned in the splice bar slot 56 in the slotted frame end44 b of the slotted frame cabinet 26 b. The slotted frame cabinet 26 band the slotted frame cabinet 26 a are offset from each other in orderthat the panel 72 of the vertically aligned splice bar 28 a aligns withthe opening of the splice bar slot 56 in the slotted frame end 44 c ofthe slotted frame cabinet 26 a.

FIG. 11 is a top view showing a step where the slotted frame cabinet 26a and the slotted frame cabinet 26 b are urged into offset intimatecontact, whereby the panel 72 of the splice bar 28 a enters into thesplice bar slot 56 in the slotted frame end 44 c of the slotted framecabinet 26 a.

FIG. 12 is a top view showing a step where the vertically orientedbacking bars 32 a and 32 b, in an assembly with the splice plate 30 a,bolts 102, washers 106, and nuts 108, can be loaded in an offset fashioninto the vertically aligned rearwardly located backing bar slot 64extending along the slotted frame end 44 c of the slotted frame cabinet26 a and vertically aligned backing bar slot 64 extending along theslotted frame end 44 b of the slotted frame cabinet 26 b, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a top view showing a step where one or more nuts 108 aretightened in order that the slotted frame cabinet 26 a is forcibly drawninto intimate contact with the splice plate 30 a. The slotted framecabinet 26 b is shown in intimate contact with and secured to the spliceplate 30 a by the use of the backing bar 32 b which is located in thebacking bar slot 64 in the slotted frame end 44 b of the slotted framecabinet 26 b. Force is applied by tightening nuts 108 to causefrictional engagement between the backing bars 32 a, 32 b, the slots 64in which they are aligned, the nuts 108, the washers 106, and the spliceplate 30 a. In this example and during such forcible engagement, theslotted frame cabinet 26 a is positioned rearwardly against the spliceplate 30 a to cause the forwardly located angled slot wall 56 a (alsoshown in FIG. 4) of the slotted frame end 44 c in the slotted framecabinet 26 a to intimately and lockingly contact the panel 72 of thesplice bar 28 a. Thus, securing of a slotted frame cabinet (26 a) to ahorizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinet (26 b) is accomplished byuse of a splice plate (28 a) and associated backing bars (32 a and 32 b)at a rearward location and by the use of a splice bar (2Sa) at a forwardlocation. In the alternative, the backing bars 32 a and 32 b, washers100, and bolts 108 can be loaded into the backing bar slots 64 and thesplice plate 30 a and associated hardware can be installed and secured,as indicated in different stages in FIG. 14, to draw the slotted framecabinet 26 a and the slotted frame cabinet 26 b together in a suitablemanner. Such actions also align the fronts of the slotted frame cabinet26 a and the slotted frame cabinet 26 b and the backs of the slottedframe cabinet 26 a and slotted frame cabinet 26 b.

The capture of the splice bar 28 a between the slotted frame end 44 c ofthe slotted frame cabinet 26 a and the slotted frame end 44 b of theslotted frame cabinet 26 b provides for vertical connection, in part, ofthe slotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26 b. Vertical connection betweenthe slotted frame end 44 c of the slotted frame cabinet 26 a and theslotted frame end 44 b of the slotted frame cabinet 26 b is completed bythe use of the splice plate 30 a, the steps of which have just beendescribed.

FIG. 14 shows the use of multiple splice plates 30 a and 30 b, backingbars 32 a-32 d, and associated components to, in part, suitably connecthorizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26 b, aspreviously described. Horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets 26 cand 26 n are connected using like components in the same manner aspreviously described for connection of horizontally adjacent slottedframe cabinets 26 a and 26 b. Other horizontally adjacent slotted framecabinets 26 can be attached using the above described methods in orderto provide a longer electronic sign.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of one of the mounting clamps 14 a-14 n andtwo of the backing bars 34 a-34 n used with the mounting clamps 14 a-14n and associated hardware to, in part, secure vertically adjacentslotted frame cabinets such as slotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26 c.FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the components of FIG. 15. The mountingclamps 14 a-14 n include a stationary bracket 110 having a rear panel112 with holes 113 therein, a top jaw panel 114 having elongated slots116 therein, and a V-shaped capture jaw slot 118, a bottom jaw panel 114a opposing the top jaw panel 114 having elongated slots 116 a thereinand a V-shaped capture jaw slot 118 a, and opposed side panels 120 and120 a. The mounting clamps 14 a-14 n also include a positionable top jawpanel 122 having threaded holes 124 therein and a V-shaped capture jawslot 126, a positionable bottom jaw panel 122 a opposing thepositionable top jaw panel 122 with threaded holes 124 a therein and aV-shaped capture jaw slot 126 a. The positionable top jaw panel 122 isaligned with and positionable along the bottom of the top jaw panel 114of the stationary bracket 110 and is secured thereto by bolts 128extending through the elongated slots 116 and into the threaded holes124 of the top jaw panel 122 to provide a variable width lockableopening 130 between the V-shaped capture jaw slot 118 of the stationarybracket 110 and the V-shaped capture jaw slot 126. In a like manner, thepositionable bottom jaw panel 122 a is aligned to and positionable alongthe top of the bottom jaw panel 114 a of the stationary bracket 110 andis secured thereto by bolts 128 a extending through the elongated slots116 a and into the threaded holes 124 a of the bottom jaw panel 122 a toprovide a variable width lockable opening 130 a between the V-shapedcapture jaw slot 118 a of the stationary bracket 110 and the V-shapedcapture jaw slot 126 a Backing bars 34 a-34 n are located in one or morehorizontally oriented backing bar slots 64 and are attached to mountingclamps 14 a-14 n and by using some or all of the bolts 132 which extendthrough some or all of holes 84 of the backing bars 34 a-34 n,respectively, through the openings in the backing bar slots 64, throughholes 113 in the stationary bracket 110 and into washers 134 and nuts136.

FIG. 17 shows the initial alignment of the slotted frame top 44 a of alower slotted frame cabinet 26 c in close proximity to the slotted framebottom 44 d of an upper slotted frame cabinet 26 a. A portion of ahorizontally aligned splice bar 28 c is shown distanced but aligned withthe splice bar slot 56 of the slotted frame top 44 a in the slottedframe cabinet 26 c awaiting positioning therein. Preferably, the slottedframe cabinet 26 a and the slotted frame cabinet 26 c are offset fromeach other, as shown in FIG. 18. The display modules 16 are not shownfor the purpose of brevity and clarity.

FIG. 18 is an end view showing a step where the horizontally alignedsplice bar 28 c is aligned in the splice bar slot 56 in the slottedframe top 44 a of the slotted frame cabinet 26 c. The slotted framecabinet 26 c and the slotted frame cabinet 26 a are offset from eachother in order that the panel 72 of the horizontally aligned splice bar28 c aligns with the opening of the splice bar slot 56 in the slottedframe bottom 44 d of the slotted frame cabinet 26 a. An end view of twoof the backing bars 34 e and 34 i, including an associated mountingclamp 14 e, is shown awaiting engagement with the backing bar slot 64located along the bottom of the slotted frame cabinet 26 a and with thebacking bar slot 64 located along the top of the slotted frame cabinet26 c.

FIG. 19 is an end view showing a step where the slotted frame cabinet 26a and the slotted frame cabinet 26 c are manually urged into offsetintimate contact, whereby the panel 72 of the splice bar 28 c entersinto the splice bar slot 56 in the slotted frame bottom 44 d of theslotted frame cabinet 26 a.

FIG. 20 is an end view showing a step where the horizontally orientedbacking bars 34 e and 34 i are in an assembly consisting of the backingbars 34 e and 34 i, a mounting clamp 14 e, bolts 132, washers 134, andnuts 136 and are loaded, in an offset manner, into the horizontallyaligned backing bar slots 64 extending along the slotted frame bottom 44d of the slotted frame cabinet 26 a and horizontally aligned backing barslot 64 along the slotted frame top 44 a of the slotted frame cabinet 26c, respectively.

FIG. 21 is an end view showing a step where one or more nuts 136 aretightened in order that the slotted frame cabinet 26 a is forcibly drawninto intimate contact with one or more of the mounting clamps 14 a-14 n,such as mounting clamp 14 e. The slotted frame cabinet 26 c is shown inintimate contact with and secured to the mounting clamp 14 e by the useof the backing bar 34 i which is located in the backing bar slot 64 inthe slotted frame top 44 a of the slotted frame cabinet 26 c. Force isapplied to cause frictional engagement across the backing bars 34 e, 34i and the slots 64 in which they are aligned, the nuts 136, the washers134, and the mounting clamp 14 e. In this example and during suchforcible engagement, the slotted frame cabinet 26 a is positionedrearwardly against the mounting clamp 14 e to cause the forwardlylocated angled slot wall 56 a (also shown in FIG. 4) of the slottedframe bottom 44 d in slotted frame cabinet 26 a to intimately andlockingly contact the panel 72 of the splice bar 28 c. Thus, securing ofan upper slatted frame cabinet (26 a) to a lower slotted frame cabinet(26 c) is accomplished by use of a mounting clamp (14 e) and associatedbacking bars (34 e and 34 i) at a rearward location and by the use of asplice bar (28 c) at a forward location. In the alternative, the backingbars 34 e and 34 i and bolts 132 can be loaded into the backing barslots 64 and the mounting clamp 14 e and associated hardware can beinstalled and secured as indicated in FIG. 22 to draw the slotted framecabinet 26 a and the slotted frame cabinet 26 c together in a suitablemanner. Such actions also align the fronts and the backs of the slottedframe cabinet 26 a and the slotted frame cabinet 26 c.

The capture of the splice bar 28 c between the slotted frame end 44 d ofthe slotted frame cabinet 26 a and the slotted frame end 44 a of theslotted frame cabinet 26 c provides for horizontal connection, in part,of the slotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26 c. Horizontal connectionbetween the slotted frame end 44 a of the slotted frame cabinet 26 a andthe slotted frame end 44 d of the slotted frame cabinet 26 c iscompleted by the use of the mounting clamp 14 e the steps of which havejust been described.

FIG. 22 shows the use of multiple mounting clamps 14 a, 14 e, 14 i,backing bars 34 a, 34 e, 34 i, and associated components to, in part,suitably connect vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets 26 a and 26c, as previously described. Vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets26 b and 26 n are connected using like components in the same manner aspreviously described for connecting vertically adjacent slotted framecabinets 26 a and 26 c. Other vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets26 can be attached using the above described methods in order to providea taller electronic sign. The mounting clamps 14 a-14 n are horizontallypositionable within the horizontally oriented backing bars 64,respectively, in order to align with the support structures such assupport structures 12 a-12 n (shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 23 is a cross section view showing mounting clamp 14 e in use alongwith the splice bar 28 c to, in part, secure an upper slotted framecabinet 26 a to a lower slotted frame cabinet 26 c using backing bars 34e and 34 i. A single backing bar 34 a or a single backing bar 34 m, suchas shown in FIG. 22, can be used at the tops or bottoms of slotted framecabinets 26 a-26 n for fastening some of the mounting clamps 14 a-14 nto the slotted frame cabinets 26 a-26 n. Mounting clamp 14 e is used toconnect the upper slotted frame cabinet 26 a and adjoining lower slottedframe cabinet 26 c to a support structure 12 a, as shown in FIGS. 23 and23.

FIG. 24 is a top view showing the use of a mounting clamp 14 a to fastena slotted frame cabinet 26 a to a vertically aligned support structure12 a. The bolts 128 and 128 a can be loosened to allow the positionabletop jaw panel 122 and the positionable bottom jaw panel 122 a to behorizontally distanced from the top jaw panel 114 and the bottom jawpanel 114 a in order to capture the vertical edges of one end of thesupport structure 12 a. The electronic sign having slotted framecabinets 10 can be maneuvered horizontally into contact with one or moreof the support structures 12 a-12 n. Subsequently, the top jaw panel 122and the bottom jaw panel 122 a are positioned toward the top jaw panel114 and the bottom jaw panel 114 a in order to capture the inwardlylocated edges of the support structure 12 a within the variable widthlockable openings 130 and 130 a, respectively, and more specifically, tocapture the support structure 12 a by intimate forced contact with thecapture jaw slots 118, 1118 a, 126, 126 a, respectively.

Various modifications can be made to the present invention withoutdeparting from the apparent scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic display comprising: one or morecabinets, each cabinet including a front side and a rear side; a displaymodule coupled to the front side of at least one cabinet; a mountingslot disposed on the rear side of at least one cabinet, the mountingslot defining a channel; one or more backing bars configured to slidewithin the channel along a first direction, and inhibit being pulledfrom the channel in a second direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction; and one or more mounting clampscouplable to the one or more backing bars and positionable along themounting slot, wherein the one or more mounting clamps are configured tosecure the one or more cabinets to a ground mounted or suspended supportstructure.
 2. The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the one or moremounting clamps are configured to secure the one or more cabinets to thesupport structure without structurally penetrating the cabinets.
 3. Theelectronic display of claim 1, wherein the one or more mounting clampsinclude a portion configured to overlap at least a portion of a supportstructure and couple thereto.
 4. The electronic display of claim 1,wherein each of the one or more mounting clamps includes a pair ofspaced jaws with one of said jaws being fixed and the other of said jawsbeing movable horizontally to provide a V-shaped capture slottherebetween.
 5. The electronic display of claim 1, wherein the supportstructure is an I-beam.
 6. The electronic display of claim 1, whereineach of the one or more mounting clamps includes a bracket having astationary first jaw and a movable second jaw.
 7. The electronic displayof claim 6, wherein the first and second jaws define a capture slottherebetween.
 8. The electronic display of claim 7, wherein the captureslot is a V-shaped capture slot.
 9. The electronic display of claim 1,wherein each of the one or more mounting clamps includes a rear panelpositionable adjacent to the mounting slot, a top jaw panel, and anopposing bottom jaw panel.
 10. The electronic display of claim 9,wherein the top and bottom jaw panels each include one or more elongatedslots therein.
 11. The electronic display of claim 10, wherein the topand bottom jaw panels comprise a stationary top jaw panel and astationary bottom jaw panel, and wherein each of the one or moremounting clamps further includes a movable top jaw panel and a movablebottom jaw panel.
 12. The electronic display of claim 11, wherein themovable top and bottom jaw panels each include one or more holestherein.
 13. The electronic display of claim 12, wherein the one or moreholes are threaded.
 14. The electronic display of claim 11, wherein eachof the stationary top and bottom jaw panels and the movable top andbottom jaw panels define a capture slot.
 15. The electronic display ofclaim 9, wherein the top and bottom jaw panels each define a captureslot.